Family Counseling
​Rebuilding Secure Parent-Child Connections

Parent-child security is a strong protective factor against health and mental health problems throughout life, creating increased resiliency and stability in peer and romantic relationships. The evidence is clear: parents and children with secure attachment bonds experience better health, mental health, educational, and behavioral outcomes.  While training parents on how to apply consequences and incentives in a loving way, how to communicate effectively, and how to problem-solve collaboratively are all important and effective approaches to family counseling, we know now that building more secure relationships between parents, parent-child dyads, and siblings is the foundation for all adaptive development.  The specifics of conflicts found in family problems are important, but a relationship-first focus helps create the secure connection between parent and child, which is the basis for all development and recovery.  Family counseling that is attachment-based and emotionally-focused can help strengthen family relationships necessary for children to develop into healthy adults, and adults to feel safer and more fulfilled.
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*While I do not currently treat young children, I enjoy treating family issues involving adolescents, young adults, and adults including:

• Substance use / alcohol use
  
• Oppositional / defiant behaviors
• ​Compulsions and addictions (i.e. video game or internet addictions)
  
• Depression and anxiety
  
• Trauma
  
• ​School adaptation and performance problems
  
• ​Peer group problems
  

Call 919-228-9729 or email james@jamesmccrackenpsychotherapy.com for a brief consult or to set up an appointment.
​​Let's work together to help your relationships be what you deserve.